Wireless carriers don't always sell their services through official channels. They also have a network of certified dealers that provide services on their behalf. One of Verizon's largest authorized retailers, Russell Cellular, which operates 750 locations across the US, was reportedly hacked.
Employee data was also stolen
Hackers are selling Verizon customer data online. | Image by Cybernews
Cybercriminals apparently stole 6.3 million customer records from Russell Cellular and listed them on a hacker forum for $1,200. The dataset, totaling 61GB, contains sensitive information such as full names, phone numbers, email addresses, account numbers, and contact details.
The record also contains employees' login credentials and job roles, paving the way for a deeper internal system breach.
Bad actors can use the data to target both customers and employees.
The hackers also uploaded two file samples to back up their claims, which Cybernews investigated and found to be legitimate-looking. Verizon is aware of the potential attack and is investigating the matter to assess its impact. The company will share more information as it becomes available.
According to a Reddit user, all of the customer records were stolen, but Russell Cellular wants to sweep the matter under the rug. Worryingly, the retailer hasn't even asked employees to reset their compromised credentials.
Our teams are actively investigating the matter and working with the retailer to understand the extent of the issue and its impact.
Verizon spokesperson, March 2026
Always pays to be cautious
To be safe, Verizon customers who have transacted through Russell Cellular should change their login info and enable two-factor authentication. Beyond disregarding phony messages, users should monitor their accounts for unauthorized changes and consider a credit freeze.
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That said, it's common to hear about major telecom carriers or their partners getting hacked, so customers shouldn't worry too much. Besides, hackers give themselves more credit than due, and often end up exaggerating the extent of the leak.
As a Verizon customer, what's your next step?
Are corporate stores any better?
Dealer stores help carriers serve more customers, but they get a bad rep for less stringent security than corporate stores. The alleged Russell Cellular breach might further sour public opinion of them, but it wasn't too long ago when Verizon's telecom infrastructure was penetrated, so no entity is truly hack-proof.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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